Zipper manufacturing machinery



March 16, 1948.

D. SILBERMAN Z IPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

DAV/D .SILBERMA/V.

1C QM A TTOKNZZ' Y,

March 16, 1948. D. SILBERMAN ZIPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

,-242 7 5mm r .J" ATTORNEY.

10 Sheets-Sheet 3 own mR j owm mmm D. SIL BERMAN ZIPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 25, 1944 March 16, 1948.

INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

March 16, 1948. slLBERMAN ZIPPER mmumcwuamc MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 M l mm MM a W V. m m5 K D V0 w M A 0 b O B F m w r. m I l l l ll w W March 16, 1948. o. SILBERMAN,

ZIPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 IN V EN TOR. DA VID .S/l. HERMAN A TTORNEY.

March 16, 1948. o. SILBERMAN ZIPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23, 1944 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 L IN VEN TOR. DA VID S/L BER'MAN A TTOENE X March 16, 1948. D..SILBERMA N ZIPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23. "1944 10 sneets sheet 9 IN VEN TOR.

DA l/ID SILBERMAN 44 4 cam ATTORNEY March 16, 1948. $|LBE|MAN 2,437,793

ZIPPER MANUFACTURING MACHINERY Filed Sept. 23, 1944 1Q Sheets-Sheet 10 264 we? M Q m DA V/D S/L BEKMAN M4 @MM 147' 7' GENE X Patented Mar. 16, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,437,793 zrrrsa MANUFACTURING MACHINERY David Silberman, Newjork, N. Y.

Application September 23, 1944, Serial No. 555,572

40 Claims. '1

product, both from the monetary and the mechanical standpoints,

One result sought under all circumstances is a stringer, the elements of which look together firmly, and do not tend to separate on lateral stress. Also, it is desired that a formation be .produced by the closed elements of the stringer to permit speedy and solid engagement by the slider, the member which cams the elements into and out of engagement with each other, and to permit use of a simple slider structure.

Another result that is sought is a simple machine, taking a strip of metal at one point, and a tape at another point, and delivering a completed stringer from some third point. It is desired that the simplicity of such a machine should be such that little or no supervision. and little or no repairs, be required for its operation. One great point in the cost of production of an article such as a zipper is the amount of time during which the machine is shut down for repairs, and is non-productive. Reduction of the amount of time during which it will be required to shut such a machine down for the replacement of worn out parts, aside from repairs from breakdowns, decreases the cost of the zipper produced by the machine.

It is an object of the invention so to simplify the operation of a zipper manufacturing machine that no particular mechanical skill will be requisite for repair or replacement of parts.

These machines have rapidly moving parts, introducing the factor of vibration, which, among other things, reduces the life of the machine. It is an object of the invention to construct a machine of this type so that vibration is reduced to a minimum,

The machine to be described takes a simple strip of metal, and forms and separates a zipper element from the strip, and attaches that element to a tape. The machine is designed to carry on this operation at such great speed that a continuous tape, with elements attached to its edge,

seems to feed from the machine. A single reciprocating part forms, cuts and attaches elements to the tape during each reciprocation. It is an object of the invention to locate the arts of the machine so that substantially all power delivering parts will be aligned in such manner with the main shaft that substantially little, if any, of!- center power delivery will occur, and so that power delivery will be substantially vertically towards the base of the machine.

The resultant reduction in side sway during the operation of the machine limits vibration almost exclusively to that arising from the vertical impact of the punch upon the metal strip. Since 16 substantially all the power-delivering parts of the machine, moving in the one direction at the time of impact, are thus balanced in great degree, the forces, which normally tend, during operation, to produce extreme vibration in a machine of this character, are eliminated.

In the production of zipper stringers, scrap is a problem of great importance. There is the monetary saving from elimination of metallic loss. Many of the so-called scrapless machines are incorrectly named; in substantially all cases,

scrap of some kind is involved. It has been ascertained that, in cases where elements were specified, yet no method of production was ascertainable for producing the elements specified. One

case deals with the production of zipper elements by actual incision through the metal, and dividing the metal by a mechanical spreader. Such method, for wire of very small dimensions, is impractical. A spreader punch for such purposes would destroy, rather than make an incision in,

the metal.

It is an object of the invention to manufacture zipper stringers by making a zipper element and attaching it to a tape as a part of a continuous operation, while a strip of metal is formed into the elements, and the elements are attached to the tape as a, part of a continuous operation, where no scrap of any kind is produced, where all metal from the metallic strip is utilized in the production of the element, and where no incision operation. The product is a very fine, Jewel-like element. Therefore, the scrap produced in making such elements is of a very minute character. Such scrap tends positively to adhere to the moving parts of the machine, no matter how the designer intends to discharge it from the appa ductioh of zipper stringers.

ratus. These moving parts, which produce the element, are small. Because of their small dimensions, they are susceptible to injury from unpredictable impacts derived from such minute pieces of scrap. Since the parts move at great speed, the elimination of such scrap must be solved;

otherwise, the machine is subject to various periods of shutdown while parts broken or injured because of such scrap are being replacedpr-repairedhi. f

It is'an object of the invention to :eliminate scrap entirely from the production 11191 1jelements. and their attachment to tape-forthepro- It is an object of the invention to provide a press wherein the apparatus need not be knocked down for repair or replacement of punch or die parts.

Other objects of this invention will be set forth hereinafter, or will be apparent from the description and the drawings, in which are illustrated embodiments of apparatus, process and product exemplifying the invention.

The invention, however, is not intended to be restricted to any particular construction or product, or any particular arrangement of parts, or any particular application of such construction or arrangement of parts, or any specific method of operation, or any of various details thereof. even where specifically shown and described herein, as the same may be modified in various particulars, or may be applied in many varied relations, without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, practical constructions embodying certain details of the invention being illustrated and described, but only for the purpose of complying with the requirements of the statutes for the disclosure of operative embodiments, but without attempting to disclose all of the various forms and modifications in which the invention might be embodied.

On the drawings, in which the same reference characters refer to the same parts throughout, and in which are disclosed such practical constructions,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of apparatus embodying features of the invention, the base, the frame and the reel of wire being broken away, and a part of an oil container being broken away to disclose other parts of the mechanism;

Fig. 1a is a plan view of a portion of a stringer produced by apparatus such as shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 2 is'an elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, seen as looking at the apparatus from the right hand side in Fig. 1, the frame, the reel of wire, the wire itself and the part of the base being detached or removed, and the belt being broken away in section;

Fig. 3 is a detail elevational view, to enlarged scale, of parts of the wire feeding and tape feed ing mechanisms, as seen in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of a detail of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3, the connecting rod being broken away in section, and other parts of the apparatus not being shown, and the assembly of the cam and eccentric being broken away in section for clarity;

Fig. 5 is a detail front elevational View of the assembly of the ram, ram housing and crosshead with the base;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5, the base not being shown;

Fig. '7 is an elevational view, to enlarged scale, of the tape feeding and tensioning mechanisms as seen from the right hand side of Fig. 1, the

- being shown;

dash lines;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view. to enlarged scale, taken substantially lengthwise of the main housing. parts of the base being broken away, and parts of the apparatus being removed, the ram housing and associated parts being shown in dot-and-dash lines, the flywheel and the pulley being broken away in section in part, and part of the main shaft and the connecting rods being broken away in section;

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the connecting rod as assembled with its-shaft and pin, as shown in Fig. 9, parts being broken away in section;

Fig. 11 is an elevational view, to enlarged scale, of the wire feeding assembly shown in Fig. 2, parts of the apparatus being broken away in section;

Fig. 12 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 11, illustrating the assoclation of wire guiding devices therewith and in relation to the base:

Fig. 13 is a detail view, in elevation, of a par of the braking mechanism for the wire feeding means, the shaft being shown in section, and the base being shown by dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 14 is 'a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a view, similar to Fig. 13, of the brak ing mechanism associated with the tape feedin mechanism;

Fig. 16 is a front elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a strip as it appears a its end is worked and cut by the element form ing means, the strip being broken away, and part of the tape being shown;

Fig. 18 is a plan view of an element whic would be produced by such apparatus as her illustrated if the apparatus were operated with out attaching the element directly to the tape Fig. 19 is a plan view of an element shown at tached to a tape at an intermediate stage of th process of attaching the element to the tape, th tape being shown in section;

Fig. 20 is a plan view of an element attache to the tape after the final stage of attaching ele ments in accordance with the process, the ta being shown insection;

Fig. 20a is a vertical cross-sectional view of a element such as shown in Fig. 20, the tape n Fig. 21 is a front elevational view of the has die block, clamp blades and punch block asse bly, the clamps for the die piece retaining bloc for the clamp blade housings, and for the punc piece retaining member not being shown, a the means for fastening the punch block to t ram not being shown;

Fig. 22 is an end elevational view of the app ratus shown in Fig. 21, the base being brok away to show the die block, and the clamp bla housing, and the clamp blade being shown section, the ram being shown by dot-and-da lines;

Fig. 23 is a bottom plan view of a die block and associated parts embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 24 is a side elevational view of the block shown in Fig. 23, the stripper plate for the block being shown by dot-and-dash lines;

Fig. 25 is an end elevational view of the die block shown in Fig. 23:

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of the assembly of die block and strip returning member of Fig. 23;

Fig. 27 is a view of the die block as seen from the end indicated by line 27-21 of Fig. 26;

Fig. 28 is an elevational view of the strip returning member;

Fig, 28a is a detail vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the strip returning member, as seen from the line 280-2 of Fig, 28;

Fig. 29 is a plan view of the member shown in Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is an elevational view of the clamp blade or folder for closing the elements upon the tape;

Fig. 31 is a detail cross-sectional view of the clamp blade, as seen from the line 3l-3l of Fig. 30;

Fig. 32 is an end elevational view, to enlarged scale and broken away, showing the operation of the folder or clamp members;

Fig. 33 is an elevational view of the punch block, showing the removable punch retaining member and the punch assembled therewith, the clamps for the punch retaining member being shown by dot-and-dash lines:

Fig. 34 is a plan view of the punch block shown in Fig. 33, the punch retaining member being shown in position;

Fig. 35 is a plan view of the die block, the position of one of the wire guides being shown by dotanddash lines;

Fig. 36 is an end elevational view 0! the block shown in Fig. 35, as seen from the left hand end of Fig. 35;

Fig. 37 is an elevational view of a clamp blade housing;

Fig. 38 is a transverse cross-sectional view, on the line 38-38 of Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is an elevational view of a clamp blade or folder member for cooperation with the housing shown in Fig. 37;

Fig. 40 is an end elevational view of the clamp blade shown in Fig. 39, as seen from the left hand end of Fig. 39;

Fig. 41 is an elevational view of a lock for the clamp blade housing;

Fig. 42 is a plan view of the lock shown in Fig. 41;

Fig. 43 isan elevational view of a cam member for assembly with the punch block for operating the clamp blade or folder;

Fig. 44 is an end elevational view of the cam member shown in Fig. 43;

Fig. 45 is a plan view of a cam member for release of the tape feeding mechanism;

Fig. 46 is an end elevational view of the member shown in Fig, 45

Fig. 47 is a plan view of the member for cooperation with the cam member shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 48 is an end elevational view of the member shown in Fig. 4'?

Fig. 49 is a plan View of a part of the wire guiding means;

Fig. 50 is an end elevational view of the part shown in Fig. 49;

Fig. 51 is a plan view of a part cooperating with the part shown in Fig. 49

Fig, 52 is an end elevational view of the part shown in Fig. 51:

Fig. 53 is a detail assembly view, showing the association with the base of the apparatus of the parts of Figs. 49 to 52;

Fig. 54 is a plan view of a detail of the tape tensioning mechanism;

Fig. 55 is a side elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 54;

Fig. 56 is a view in transverse cross-section, on the line 5656, of the assembly of punch block, punch retaining member and punch, shown in Fig. 33; 2

Fig. 57 is a bottom plan view of the two sections of the punch, as assembled;

Fig. 58 is an elevational view of one of the sections of the punch shown in Fig, 57, one end of the section being broken away in cross-section:

Fig. 58a is a plan view of the punch section shown in Fig. 58;

Fig. 59 is an end elevational view of one of the sections of the punch shown in Fig. 57;

Fig. 60 is an elevational view of the punch section shown in Fig. 59;

Fig. 61 is a side elevational view of the punch section shown in Fig. 60, part of the punch being broken away in cross-section;

Fig. 62 is a detail view of modified construction tor the tape and wire feeding means, associated parts of the apparatus being shown by dot-and-dash lines, and the .parts of the apparatus for producing a gap in the stringer being illustrated by full lines;

Fig. 63 is an end elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 62;

Fig. 64 is a detail vertical cross-sectlonal view, illustrating the association of the punch block, the punch retaining member, and the punch, with the base, the die block, the die piece retaining member, and the difierent portions of the die, together with the ram;

Fig. 65 is a plan view of a portion of the base, showing the relationship of the die block, the die piece retaining member, the clamps therefor, the stripper plates and the associated elements of the apparatus; and

Figs. 66, 67, 68 and 69 are detail views, illustrating the feeding and forming of the strip in relation to the tape edge, the tape being shown in cross-section.

Machine M (Figs, 1 and 2), illustrated upon the drawings, for the manufacture of stringers in (Fig. 1a), may include a mounting such as base B upon which a housing H may be mounted. Extending from base B may :be a frame F for supporting a reel R of wire I! which is guided to the apparatus in the manner to be described, for the production of the stringers.

In conjunction with housing H may be located substantially all mechanism necessary for the production of zipper stringers ill from wire 82. Such mechanism may. include wire feeding means W, tape feeding means T, and element forming and attaching means E. Housing H may take the form of a hollow casting M, which may be retained upon base B in any suitable manner. The cavity l6 (Fig. 9) of casting it may provide a container for lubricating oil. For this purpose, a sight glass i8 (Fig. 1) may be connected with cavity iii to indicate the level of oil retained therein.

In the instance shown, base B may include a plurality of legs 20. A platform (not shown) may be carried between legs 20 to support a motor (not shown), fixed to the plat-form \by any suitable means. Power is delivered by the motor through a belt 26 to a pulley 28 upon a main shaft 36 which extends through side wall 32 of casting I4 at that position A flywheel 34 may be formed together with pulley 28.

Bearing members 36 for shaft 30 may be positioned at a pair of aligned openings 36 in side walls 32 and 40. Shaft 30 extends beyond the outer face of wall 40, where a cam 42 and an adjustable eccentric 44 are mounted. Cam 42 (Figs. 3 and 4) includes a collar 43 secured to the end of shaft 30 extending beyond wall 40. Collar 43 is formed with a slot 45 opening from an undercut transverse squared recess 41. On collar 43 is carried a cam ring 49 which is fixed to collar 43 against rotation by any suitable means. A pin 5I extends through and is slidable in slot 45 and has a squared head 53 received in recess 41. A collar 55 carried upon pin 5| serves as a bearing for adjustable eccentric 44. Suitable lock nuts 51 may be used to lock pin 5| and collar 55 in any adjusted position with relation to slot 45 and recess 41, to vary the eccentricity of eccentric 44. A guard cup 59 may be secured to face 48 of wall 40 to guard these parts.

By means of a plate 46, afiixed to face 48, a pin 50 is positioned to function as a bearing for an arm 52. A cut-out 54 is formed in arm 52, and a pin 56 is extended across the opening of cut-out 54 and is fixed in the walls thus formed by the cut-out. A roller 50 is provided its bearing upon pin 55 so that it is in position to bear upon cam ring 49. A follower 60 is mounted to slide in a bore 62 under the action of a spring 66. The bore is formed in a boss 64, formed as a part of plate 46. The spring is retained between the end of the bore and follower 60, and causes arm 52 to retain roller 58 in engagement with ring 49. The pressure of spring 66 may be varied by means of a follower 68 which includes a screw-threaded adjustment at one end of bore 62 for that purpose.

One end of arm 52 is reduced in section, and retains a pin which provides a bearing for the forked end of a finger 12. A spring 14, anchored at one end to an extension 16 from arm 52, engages finger I2 and maintains the finger in engagement with a ratchet wheel '18 for wire feeding means W. Carried in a bracket 80 upon wall 82 of casting I4 is a bearing 84 for a shaft 86 to which ratchet wheel 18 is afllxed. Shaft 86 extends parallel to wall 82, and through a pair of bearings 88 (Figs. 2, 11 and 12) carried in the walls 90 of a housing 92. A knurled wheel 94, fixed to rotate with shaft 86, is retained between walls 90. m

Above wheel 94. and retained between walls 90, is positioned another knurled wheel 96 amxed to a shaft 98. Shaft 98 is provided bearings I00 in a pair of square members I02 which are free to slide within a pair of openings I04. Openings I04 are formed in walls 90 above bearings 68. A pair of gears I06 are secured, or formed integrally with wheels 94 and 96. These gears mesh at substantially all times to drive both wheels simultaneously from shaft 86.

Wire I2 is inserted between wheels 94 and 96. First however, it must pass through a guide provided by a groove I08. Groove I08 is formed in the top face of a guide piece IIO affixed to housing 92 in advance of the position of knurled wheels 54 and 96. Groove I08 is aligned with the topmost level of wheel 94, and serves to guide wire I2 into proper relation to forming shaft I56 extends loosely.

and attaching tooth means E. A plate II2, afilxed to the top face of guide piece I I0, closes groove I00 and retains wire I2 within the groove during the feeding action.

Springs II4, retained in recesses II6 formed in walls 90, bear against the top faces of members I02. The extent of openings I04 permits movement of members I02 so that knurled wheels 94 and 96 will be spaced apart sufficiently, positively to engage wire I2 of the thickness necessary for proper operation of the apparatus. At the same time, movement of members I02 will not interfere with proper engagement of gears I06 for driving the knurled wheels. Proper compressor members II8 are threadedly adjustable relatively to recesses IIB for varrying the pressure upon members I02.

A bracket I20 (Figs. 2, 13 and 14) may be provided on wall 82. Secured upon bracket I20 are ends I22 of a pair of straps I24 which have arcuate sections I26 positioned to encircle a collar I26 fixed to shaft 86. Straps I24 are so formed that atleast one set of ends I22, even when secured to bracket I20, or opposed ends I30 will be spaced apart. A bolt I32 passed through ends I30 retains a spring I34 for providing the necessary resiliency as the straps press a braking piece I36 of leather or other suitable material into engagement with the outside face of collar I28. Thus, the action of the step-by-step motion rotating shaft 86 is restrained to movement substantially in one direction.

A pair of pins I40 are fitted into openings MI in walls 90. and may be rotated by means or a handle I42. For this purpose. openings I43 are formed in pins I40; the ends of handle I42, a U-shaped member, are fitted into the openings, and then are secured in position'by means such as set-screws. The pins have fiat faces I44 to engage against bottom faces I46 of members I02. Upon movement of handle I42 to lowered position, members I02 are cammed upwardly, and, with them, shaft 98, and its associated knurled wheel 96 and gear. Thus, the feeding mechanism, embodied in the knurled wheels, 'may be forced apart for threading wire into the machine, or are forced positively into engagement with the wire to be fed by the machine.

Collar 55 of eccentric 44 on shaft 30 (Figs. 1 to 4) carries aneccentric strap I48, which, through a rod I50, transmits motion to an arm I52. Arm I52 has a hub I54 through which a Shaft I56 is carried in bearings I58 (Figs. 7 and 8) formed in a bracket I60 which is secured to face I62 of wall I64. A sprocket I66 may be secured at one end of shaft I56 beyond hub I54. Sprocket I66 may serve as a spacing collar'for retaining the shaft inproper relation to bearings I58, and also for other purposes hereinafter to be described.

A tape feed wheel I68 may be secured at the other end of shaft I56, and. with sprocket I66, serves to retain the shaft against lateral movement. Wheel I66 may have a knurled face I10 (Fig. 2) upon which a'tape I12 (Figs. 1a and 8) having a beaded'edge I14 is positioned for feeding. The wheel is cut away at one edge of the knurled face to provide a groove or recess I16 in which portions of elements I16, affixed to bead I14, may be received.

Arm I52 has a pin I00 (Figs. 1 and 3) fixed thereto. Upon pin I 9. finger I82 is provided a pivotal hearing. A spring I84 engaged between finger I82 and arm I52 serves to maintain ratchet I86 of finger I82 in engagement with the ratchet wheel I88, mounted on shaft I56 between hub I54 and one of bearings I66.

At a position between bearings I58, bracket I68 may be cut away (Figs. 7, and 16) At that point, shaft I56 may have a collar I89 fixed to rotate therewith. A pair of straps I80 have their ends I92 fixed against a face I84 of bracket I60 so that arcuate portions I86 of the straps substantially encircle collar I 88. A strip 200 of leather or similar frictional material may be retained by portions I98, in engagement with the face of collar I89 to apply braking action to shaft I56. Straps I90 may terminate in a pair of arms 202 through which a bolt 204 may be passed. A spring 208 retained between one arm 202 and suitable lock-nuts on bolt 204 produces adjustment and resiliency for the braking device. This braking device prevents reverse rotation of shaft I56 as tooth I86 moves reversely over wheel I88 after having rotated wheel I88 in the feeding direction.

In order to assure that the tape be fed positively, a brake shoe 208 (Figs. 1, '7 and 8) is resiliently pressed towards engagement with knurled face I18. Shoe 208 has a face 2I0 shaped to conform to the arcuate shaping of wheel I68; but face 2 I8 is smooth. A rod 2i 2, loosely pinned at 214 to shoe 208, is slidable through an opening 2I6 in a bracket arm 2I8. Arm 218 is secured to a bracket arm 220 extending upwardly from bracket I60. A spring 222 on rod 252 between arm' 2! and shoe 288 causes the shoe to apply the desired pressure against the tape caught between faces I10 and M0.

A pin 224. fixed in rod 2I2 and engaged in a slot 226 in arm 2I8, prevents rotation of rod 2I2. A collar 228 (Figs. 8 and 45 to 48), affixed to the extending part of rod 212 beyond arm 218, has a face 230 including a cam projection 232. Projection 232 is formed to interlock with a recess 234 in a collar 236. Collar 236 is loose upon rod M2, and has a fiat face 238 for abutment against arm 2I8, where it is held by the action of spring 222. A handle 248, secured to collar 236, provides means for rotating the collar upon rod 2I2, to move cam projection 232 to move out of recess 234. Thus rod 2I2 is moved against the action of spring 222 to release brake shoe 208 from engagement with wheel I68 whenever it is desired to adjust the tape upon the wheel, or to position a new length of tape.

Forming and attaching means E is constructed to pe 'llt easy and ready separation of an entire assembly. or for the separation of one or more units, so that repairs and replacements may be made easily without disturbing the rest of the apparatus. Top wall 242 (Figs. '7, 9, 21, 22, and 36) of casting i4 is formed with a recess 244 for receiving a block 246. At the side of housing 92 adjacent block 286 (Figs. 12 and 53), wire I 2 is fed towards the punch and die by wheels 84 and 96 immediately at the top face 248 of block 246. At this position, a plate 250 is secured to face 248, and has a. groove 252 formed in its bottom face 254. Plate 250 extends towards wheel 94 and 96 away from block 246. Beneath extension 256 thus formed, a small'plate 258 is secured in position to complete the groove 252. Grooves I08 and 252 are in alignment, and together serve to retain the wire properly for feeding.

Beyond plate 250, a pair of stripper plates 260 are secured in position on top face 248, and are capable of limited adjustment. Plates' 260 are secured to block 246 by cap screws 262 inserted through plates 268 at openings 264 which are slightly larger than screws 262. In this manner, limited adjustment of the plate edges 266 relatively to each other is made possible. Each edge 266 has a step 268; these steps are juxtaposed when the plates are assembled, and form a groove 210, in alignment with grooves I08 and 252, for receiving the wire as it is fed by the wire feeding means up to the position of the punch and die.

Reciprocating vertically with relation to block 246 is a ram 212 (Fig. 22) carried by a crosshead 214 (Figs. 5, 6 and 9). Ram 212 is slidable in ways 216 which are secured in a. housing 218. Ways 216 are in the form of separate gibs which, by suitable securing means, are anchored in position in opposed corners of housing 218. Ways 216 have V-shaped grooves 280 to receive the V- shaped sides 282 of ram 212. Housing 218 is of a width to extend across recess 244 so that its footing 284 may be secured, by suitable means,

to the top wall 242 of casting I4.

Ram 212 is secured to crosshead 214 by suitable securing means. The ends of crosshead 214 are formed with enlarged sections 286 having recesses 288 into which bearing pins 290 are received. Pins 290 are formed with heads 292, and are, in turn, received through the straps 294 (Fig. 9) at the ends of connecting rods 296. Set screws 288 lock pins 298 in place and thus hold straps 294 in proper relation to rock upon the pins in reciprocating the ram. Connecting rods 296 extend down into casting I4 through openings 308 in top wall 242 to eccentric straps 302 (Figs. 9 and 10), forming part of the connecting rods, which are received upon eccentrics 304 on shaft 30. Cover plates 305 may be provided at openings 300 to guard against foreign matter entering the chamber. A suitable flexible washer 381 may be fitted around each rod 296 to accommodate itself to the slight movement of the rod in sealing opening 300.

As shown, there is a rod 296 at each end of crosshead 214. Balanced forces are thus delivered to crosshead 214. Furthermore, the eccentricities of eccentrics 44 and 304 are small; being sufficient to obtain the small stroke necessary for the operation of the respective parts. Since wire or strip of relatively small thickness is utilized in these operations, only a small effective stroke of the ram is necessary. Thus, it has been made possible to perform these operations without massive cranks, of great stroke, but by small eccentric of very small stroke. Furthermore, the centers of pins 298 are substantially perpendicularly above the center line of shaft 30. In the same manner, eccentric 44, and rod I50 actuated by that eccentric are disposed substantially perpendicularly vertically from shaft 30. Thus, substantially no off-center thrust results during the operation of the machine. Substantially all forces delivered are in substantially a single plane, torque is minimized, and vibration reduced to a minimum. Ram 212 and rod I 50 move up and down substantially simultaneously and almost to the same degree, and vibrate substantially in that single plane, which also is the plane for the center-line of flywheel 34 the tendency of which is to absorb any of the vibration produced by any very slight lateral vibration.

The main body 306 of ram 212 takes the shape of a block having V-shaped edges 282 (Figs. 5 and 6). To body 386 is secured a ram block 308 (Figs. 22 and 23) A recess 3l0 (Figs.2l, 33, 34 and 56) is provided centrally of the front face 3 I2 of block 308 to receive a punch block 3l4 snugly held in position by suitable means to be described. Se-

- 3l4 will be moved solidly up against the bottom face of plate 318 during the operation of the apparatus.

The manner in which punch block 314 is assembled with ram block 338, and the method of assembly and adjustment of punch 318 with relation to block 314, constitute means applicable to machinery such as here described for zipper manufacture as well as for general application for punch press operation. By the arrangement to be described, it is possible to change punches and dies without first taking apart substantially the entire apparatus.

Block 3l4 is formed with arecess 323. In this recess, punch 318 is snugly seated. In the instance illustrated, punch 318 (Figs. 56 to 61) is made up of two distinct sections 322 and 324. Section 324 is positioned at the bottom of recess 323, with section 322 abutting against it. Then a pair of clamp plates 328. anchored against face 312 of block 3|4, hold both sections against separation from block 314. Block 3|4 (Figs. 21, 33 and 34) is formed with a pair of slots 333 extending transversely oi block 314 and opening into recess 323. In slots 333 and the upper portion recess 328 is located a T-shaped end p ece 332 of hardened metal. 'In leg 334 of piece 332 a pair of screws 338 and 338 are threadedly received. respectively to engage against ,ends of sections 322 and 324. These screws serve to determine the levels at which sections 322 and 324 cooperate with die block 343. A cut-out 342 is formed in plate 318 to make the ends of screws 338 and 338 accessible for adiustment.

The action oi sections 322 and 324 against the work. together with such clamping action as is secured from clamp plates 328, serves to locate the punch vertically with relation to the ram. In addition. a slot 344 out in a side face of block 314 may be brought into registry with a slot 348 in block 338 for the reception of a key 848. In this manner. blocks 338 and 3 are restrained against relative vertical movement. A pair of clamp plates 353 have flanges in engagement with clamp plates 328, and are themselves secured to block 338 by cap screws 35l. Thus,

block 314 is clamped securely in position; but, merelv by releasing screws 351. the entire assembly of block 3 with both sections of punch 318 may be separated from ram block 338, and a new assembly substituted. Likewise, it is possible to adjust the position of sections 322 and 324 to a definite relationship to block 314. and. therefore, to their positions in relation to block 338 determined by the interlock of key 348 in slots 344 and 348, without first assembling these parts with the ram. In this manner, the time necessary for replacement of a punch for any reason is made of no consequence, and the necessity for taking the entire ram assembly apart for any such purpose is completely eliminated.

Sections 322 (Figs. 59 to 61) is cut away to form a groove 352. Then, at one end, further metal is ground away to leave a pair of guide pieces 354 extending from the section.' These guide pieces are intended to interfit with a recess 358 (Figs. 26, 64 and 65) provided in die block 343 for guiding and locating the punch. Groove 352 is of the exact shape of edge 358, the cutting edge of the punch. Thus, as edge 358 wears away during the punching operation, section 322 may be ground away between guide pieces 854 to form a new edge for a substantial portion of the length of the punch. Relief for edge 8" 8 12 provided by grinding section 322 away as shown at 358.

Section 324 has a squared end 383 to fit into a recess 382 in die block 343. A recess 384 is formed in end 383, to cooperate with a pin or projection 388 in die block 343. The eflective level of end 383 with relation to pin 388 is determined by the position of screw 338. End 383 does no cutting. but merely upsets metal to form head 388 and recess 313 of a zipper element I18 (Fig. 200) in the manner to be described. Opposite ends of section 324 (Fig. 58) are formed substantially identically. Thus, when one end wears out, clamp plates 828 are released, the punch removed from recess 328, section 324 is reversed, and the other end used. Screw 338 adjusts section 328 into desired relation to section 322 for cooperation with projection 388. Section 322 must pass entirely through the thickness of the metal to shear an element from the strip; section 324 merely applies sufllcient pressure to form projection 366 from the metal. Thus, different times of engagement for these two punch sections are requisite. This timing is eflected by adjustment of screws 336 and 338.

In order to maintain tape 112 in proper tension as it feeds to means E under the pull of wheel I88, a tension device 312 (Fig. 7) is assembled on face I82 at a groove 314 out in face 182. A pair of blocks 318 and 318 are secured in groove 314 by suitable means. Block 818 is of such dimensions that its top face is just below a flange 383 below recess 244. Block 318 consists of an end member 382 seated in groove 314. A plate 384 is mounted at the outside face of member 382: plate 384 and member 382 are secured together and to casting 14 by suitable securing means. Slidable-in passage 388 formed between plate 384 and groove 314 is a block 388, loosely held in passage 388, but propelled by a spring 380 retained between a follower 382 and block 388. Fol-- lower 382 is carried by a screw-threaded member 398 engaged in a threaded opening 433 in member 382 for adjusting the pressure applied by block 388 against the bead of tape caught between the ends 432 of blocks 316 and 388. A finger 43l may extend from block 388 for engagement by an operator to release engagement of the block against a tape edge.

Ends 432 (Figs. 54 and 55) are substantial duplicates. Block 318 is secured in position with relation to groove 314 by suitable securing means; block 388 is slidable against the action of spring 383; the operation 0! ends 432 is thus the same as if the two ends were movable relatively to each other for the purpose of varying the distance between them in placing the desired tension upon the tape as it is fed to the tape feeding wheel. Both ends 432' are formed with semi-cylindrical grooves 434 for the reception of bead I14. Also a pair of flat faces are provided for engagement against the tape proper. By adjusting member 388, the frictional force against the tape will be increased or decreased and the proper tension obtained.

Block 248 has a recess 438 formed immediately below the position of punch 3l8 (Figs. 21, 35, 64 and 65). Die block 343 is located in recess 438, and is held in place in the recess by clamps 438 which, by suitable securing means such as screws 3, are located and held in place against the front face of block 248. In such case, clamps 438 engage against the front faces of block 343 and force it firmly into recess 438. Then block 848 rests upon a platform 414 formed in casting I4 for that purpose.

The die block is made up of substantially identical, opposite sections 4l6, held together tightly by any desired clamping means, as, for instance, by a through screw M8. The die block as thus constituted has a recess 428. A pair of shoulders 422 in the top faces of sections 416 immediately at the contacted faces form a groove 424 which is located to align with grooves I86, 252 and 218. A stripper plate 428 is secured on top face 428 of block 848 to close groove 424, plate 426 extending up to the edge of recess 428.

Recess 428 receives snugly assembled pieces of hardened metal and retains them tightly in their appropriate association forlocation in relation to punch 8|8. These pieces are keyed in such manner that, by tightening sections 8 by means of screw M8, the parts are rigidly and accurately located. One of these pieces is a T-shaped section 448 which is interfitted with a portion of the recess so that it is held against any movement. It has a face 442 at the same level as the bottom of groove 424. It terminates together with the shaping of other inset pieces to form recess 356 with which the guide pieces 854 ccoperate. Just short of end 444 of face 442, raised projection 866 is formed. This projection cooperates with recess 864 so that, when the ram depresses them into cooperating relation, they produce upset recess 816 and head 368 in the wire,

Grooves 446 may be provided on bottom faces 448 of plates 268, and continue beneath plate 426. These. grooves are directed so that air from an airline 456, which makes connection with the inlet to the passage formed by the grooves 446, will be delivered just at about the position where this upsetting operation is taking place. Air

under compression for such operation may be supplied constantly to the machine throughout the operation, and will serve the purpose of cooling the upsetting punch section and projection 368 throughout the operation.

The front faces of sections 416 are formed so that, when mated, a V-shaped groove 452 is presented, and leads into a very narrow slot 454. This groove and slot, when the die block is properly assembled, are aligned to cooperate with the groove between ends 482. Held securely in recess 428 immediately at the end of slot 454, is die piece 456, A curved edge 458 formed on this piece provides cutting cooperation with edge 358. Die piece 456 likewise has a cylindrical groove 468 located immediately behind slot 454, to receive the bead of the tape during the operation of the apparatus, and to locate the bead positively with relation to wire being fed. A projection or pilot 462, having substantially the contour of projection 366, may be provided upon face 464 of piece 456. Pilot 468 serves to locate the wire end as the operation of forming and severing an element proceeds.

Face 464 is at a level above face 442. Thus, the cutting off of an element at edge 458, that is. the shearing of the metal, will have commenced and even be finished, before the formation of head 368 and recess 318 will have been commenced, effecting, among other things, reduction in the force required to be delivered by ram 212 and crosshead 214. Wire is fed up to the position of pin or projection 366. Between pin 866 and recess 364, head 868 and recess 318 are formed in the wire. Then the wire, by succes sive steps,

r section will have been severed by the action of the punch and die at edges 858 and 458. Thus end recess 318 coincides with pilot 462.

it will have a pair of laws or legs 466 which, by the action of the feeding mechanism, will be caused to straddle bead I14 01 the tape. The spacing between projection 386 and pilot 462 is merely sufficient to compensate for the thickness of metal required for sections 322 and 324. It has been found that the distance for forming three heads 368 is all that is required for this purpose. Possibly stronger metal for use in cutting tools will reduce this spacing.

As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the shaping of section 822 at cutting edge 358 and of the cooperating cutting edge 458 is such that legs 466 will have a curved portion 461 and straight edge end portions 468 substantially perpendicular to the side edges 41! which are defined by. the edges of strip 12. A small angular cut 413 may connect portions 461 and 469 to prevent breaking of the punches and dies. This, in turn, will produce a round edge 415 for the head end of element 418 having straight out faces 411, leading out to edges 4, with connecting angular corners 419.

To complete the formation of the element and its attachment to the tape, the punch descends, and edge 358 cooperates with edge 458. When edge 358 engages against the wire to shear it, the cut end'of the wire must move downwardly, leaving the cut away element I18 upon the die face at pilot 482. When the punch recedes and separates from the die, the wire must move back to a proper level so that, at the next movement of feeding wheels 84 and 96, it may feed into position onto pilot 462. For that purpose, a wire return member 468 is provided to move vertically within recess 356. Member 468 is substantially of identically the same shape as the opening of recess 356, including the shaping of edge 458. Member 468 includes a column 418 having a groove 412 to fit around the portion of piece 458 whose shape produces edge 458. The column is cut away to form a pair of shoulders 414 which cooperate with walls of the recess in receiving guide pieces 354. The section of column 410 which protrudes beyond shoulders 414 includes a fiat face 416 to coincide with face 464,-

and a bevelled face 418. The latter, when member 468 is at its uppermost position, provides a cam edge from the level of face 442 to the level of face 464.

As the punch is assembled, guide pieces 354 are engaged in recess 356 around column 418 just above shoulders 414. The wire will have been upset at a previous operation. The end, fed forward. is moved upward along face 418 until the The punch descends, cutting oif an element between edge-s 358 and 456. However, the end of the wire is moving downwardly, and presses against face 416 to move member 468 downwardly. Then the punch recedes.

It is now necessary that member 468 return to its first position, with face 416 at the level of face 464, For this purpose, column 418 has a foot 488 at its lower end. A pin 482 having a head 484 is positioned to engage against foot 480. Pin 482 extends down through a member 486 and into a cavity 488 formed in casting l4. A spring 498 538 of slot 534,

within cavity 488 bears against the enlarged head 484, and against the bottom of cavity 488, thus tending to move pin 482 and member 488 upwardly. Pin 482 is limited in its movement by the engagement of head 484 with member 486. Member 488 is screw threaded to engage the threads formed in the walls of cavity 488. In this manner, adjustment of the upward limit of movement of pin 482 and, therefore, of member 488, may be effected.

The cutting off operation may be completed before jaws 488 have been clamped upon the tape bead, or these operations may even be timed to be substantially simultaneous. It has been ound desirable that the operation of clamping jaws 468 to the tape edge be completed substantially before the cutting off step proceeds. In this manner, when the legs of the element have been clamped upon the tape edge, there is no necessity for controlling that element by holding it by any part of the machine during the stages of cutting off. as the element remains firmly attached to the tape.

For this purpose, block 388 is provided with a pair of recesses 494 adjacent its side edges (Fig. 21). In each of these recesses is positioned a cam plate 498. Plate 498 has a slot 588 through which may extend suitable clamping screws 582 which engage through plate 498 into block 388. Plates 498 are thus adjustable relatively to block 388. At their lower ends, plates 498 are provided with hardened cam faces 584 (Figs. 43 and 44). At their top ends, screws 588, threaded through plate 3l8, bear against each of plates 498 to hold them in properly adjusted position.

A pair of openings 588 are 248 to cooperate with the side walls of recess 244. A clamp blade guide l8 is located with relation to each cam plate 488 by engagement of a lug 512 (Figs, 21, 22, 37 and 38) formed as a projection from the bottom of a clamp blade housing 514. Thus, housing H4 is restricted against movement relatively to block 248 and base l4. A lock 5l8 is seated upon block 248 with a pair of overhanging fingers 5l8 straddling housing 5. Suitable securing means fixes lock 518 to block 248 and retains housing 5 against separation from block 248.

Housing 514 has a groove 528 in which slides leg 522 of a clamp blade 524 (Figs. 39 and 48) part of which is of T- haped cross-section. The cross-bar 528 of the blade is positioned between end faces 528 of stripper plates 288 and unrelieved wall portions 538 of housing 5l4 on either side of groove 528. A pin 532 extends laterally from the blade and into a slot 534. A spring 538 is seated in slot 534 between pin 532 and end face and is retained in the passage formed between lock 5l8 and leg 522, to drive blade 524 to a normal position where the engaging portions 548 of the blades will be moved away from each other, the position where they would engage an element to clamp it upon the tape.

When the punch descends for the cut-off of the element, guide pieces 354 are positioned in recess 358. Edge 358 cooperates with edge 458 in efiecting the cut-off. In the manner set forth, recess 384 cooperates with projection 388 to upset recess 318 and head 388 in the wire. Just before these operations are effected, however, cam ends 584 will engage cam ends 542 on clamp blades 524. This operation will serve to drive blades 524 towards each other and the extending legs 488 on the wire, driving those legs towards and clinching them around bead 114.

formed in block As shown in Figs. 30 to 32, ends 548 of clamp blades 524 have two clam-ping sections 548 and 548. Between them is a gap 558. As shown in Fig. 32, clamping sections 548 are positioned to engage legs 488 as they are still open around the tape bead, and preferably before the element has been separated from the wire. The shaping of sections 548 for this purpose is shown in Fig, 31.

A complex face 552 is provided for obtaining the first bend of the metal. This shaping may have to be changed in accordance with the resilience or softness of the metal. The particular faces being considered were designed in connection with a low resiliency steel strip or wire. In connection with metal such as brass or copper, the angularities will have to be revised in accordance with the response of the metal to the clamping action. In this particular case, only the portion of section 548 indicated by face 552 will engage legs 458. Face 552 bends the metal of the legs, particularly as shown in Figs. 19 and 67. At the same time, face 558 strikes the legs and makes a slight indentation in forcing the legs firmly home against the tape. Thus the final result of the action of section 548 is to leave a corner 554 as the leg is bent from its original cut shape. As portion 558 of face 552 is at an angle of about 15 to the perpendicular to the end face of blade 524, and as it engages against the ends of legs 488, very slow closing or bending of the memher will result until that slowly bending leg is hit by portion 558.

The action of the blades, as depicted in Figs. 18, 19 and 32, at this stage serves to bend the jaws into the shape shown in Figs. 19 and 67, without substantial decrease of the cross-section of the metal across portion 588. Corner 554, the corner 582 of Fig. 18, is left protruding, as the element is cut out of the continuous, parallel edged wire or strip such as used in this operation. without any scrap. Face 588 of section 548 extends beyond portion 558. Thus its action is an additional driving or closing action in finally driving the legs home, and smashing or swedging the metal of comers 554 into the body of the legs. First, however, section 822 completes the cutting off of the element, and the result is as shown in Fig. 68.

In the further operation illustrated, the wire is fed one or more, preferably two, steps after sections 548 have functioned, so that elements I18 will not be worked upon by blades 524, as assured by gap 558. Then faces 588 strike the element at corners 554. The result is a condensation of the metal in corners 554 into substantially fiat faces 584; but now the density of metal in legs 488 has been increased because of the additional metal. At the same time, the legs have been stretched lengthwise across the width of the tape. Opening 588, in Fig. 20, has been reduced in its extent, and legs 488 now tightly clamp the bead of the tape. and also are tightly clamped against the body of the tape. An element made in this manner serves to produce a slide fastener which is strong so that the elements may not be pulled off the tape, and yet provides the desired shape for efficient operation of a substantially standard slider over the fastener elementsr Such elements permit facility in operating the slider around curved portions of a slide fastener.

It is sometimes desirable to form gaps in stringers 18 for proper assembly of sliders and stops for separation of slide fasteners of predetermined length. For this purpose, a gap mechanism G 17 (Figs. 62 and 68) may be associated with the apparatus. Sprocket I86, previously referred to, may form a part of such mechanism. Such sprocket may carry a chain I568. One of the links 610 of the chain may have a pin 512 extending laterally therefrom. The length of chain 588 is such that, at a definite position, determined by the rotation of shaft I56 necessary to feed a predetermined length of tape I 12, pin 512 will engage against a cam plate 514. Where the machine is to be used for producing zippers of various predetermined lengths, chains 668 of various lengths may be positioned on sprocket "36. Where the machine is designed, in relation to ratchet wheel 588 and tape feed wheel I68, to feed a definite amount of tape for each revolution of shaft I58, and such length is the length of a zipper to be produced, pin 512 may be affixed directly to sprocket I88.

In any case, cam plate 514 is secured at the end of an arm E15 pivoted at 518 upon a bracket 58!) secured to bracket Hill. A spring 682 extends between an extension of arm 516 and bracket 680 to move cam plate 51d towards sprocketltli. A stop 58% of suitable design may be formed or secured to bracket 580 to limit arm 518 in its movement under the action of spring 582. When pin 572 engages plate M, arm 576 is swung away from the sprocket and functions to close a switch 586.

Arm 576 carries a leaf spring 588 the position of which, by means of an adjusting screw 590,

is adjustable relatively to arm 51B and a button 592 extending from switch 586. Thus, for the length of time cam plate 574, is engaged by pin 512, button 592 will be depressed to close a circuit through switch 586. The circuit, from a power source 594, includes an electromagnet 596 which may be mounted on wall 48 of casting l4. Armature 598 for the electromagnet may be retained suitably for movement towards the pole pieces of electromagnet 596. By a suitable connection 800, which may be a rod or other member pivotally or flexibly connected to armature 598 and a pin 602 carried upon an extension 604 from arm 52, the electromagnet, when energized, is made effective torotate arm 52 about pin 50 and lift roller 58 off cam ring 49. Thus, feeding of strip i2 is interrupted. The feed of tape I12 proceeds as before. The ram continues to reciprocate; however, since no metal is being fed, no elements are formed, and none are clamped upon the tape. Gaps are thus produced at regular intervals.

Many other changes could be effected in the particular device and product designed, and in the method of operation set forth, and in specific details thereof, without substantially departing .from the invention defined in the claims, the

specific description being merely of operative embodiments capable of illustrating certain principles of the invention,

I claim:

1. Slide fastener stringer manufacturing apparatus including means for feeding a tape into a predetermined position, means for feeding a metallic member towards that position, and means immediately at that position for performing all operations upon the fed member to form slide fastener elements from the fed member and to attach the elements to the fed tape directly from the fed member, the feeding means including a base, a shaft carried by the base, a ram, and cooperating means carried wholly by the ram and the base and driven from the shaft for forming '18 and cutting elements from the member and attaching the elements to the tape.

2. Slide fastener stringer manufacturing apparatus including means for feeding a tape into a predetermined position, means for feeding a metallic member towards that position, and means immediately at that position for performing all operations upon the fed member to form slide fastener elements from the fed member and to attach the elements to the fed tape, the forming means including a base, a shaft carried by the base, a ram, a pair of eccentrics of small eccentricity spaced apart on the shaft, rods extending from the eccentrics to each side of the ram, and

cooperating means carried by the ram and thebase and actuated entirely by the ram for forming and cutting elements from themember and attaching the elements to the tape.

3. Slide fastener stringer manufacturing apparatus, including means for feeding a tape into a predetermined position, means for feeding a metallic member towards that position, and means immediately at that position for performing all operations upon the fed member to form slide fastener elements from the fed member and to attach the elements to the fed tape, the forming means including a base, a shaft carried by the base, a pair of eccentrics of small eccentricity spaced apart on the shaft, a ram, a pair of connecting rods carried by the eccentrics, the connecting rods extending substantially verticallyfrom the eccentrics to each side of the ram and having slight lateral movement during reciprocation by the eccentrics, and cooperating means carried wholly by the ram and the base for forming and cutting elements from the member and attaching the elements to the tape.

4. Slide fastener stringer manufacturing apparatus, including means for feeding a tape into a predetermined position, means for feeding a metallic member towards that position, and means immediately at that position for performing all operations upon the fed member to form slide fastener elements from the fed member and to attach the elements to the fed tape, the forming means including a base, a shaft carried by the base, a pluralitl of eccentrics of small eccentricity spaced apart on the shaft, a ram, a pair of connecting rods extending from a pair of the eccentrics to each side of the ram for reciprocating the ram, a connecting rod extending from one of the eccentrics for driving the tape feeding means, all of the connecting rods extending substantially vertically from the respective eccentrics and having slight lateral movement during reciprocation by the eccentrics, and cooperating means carried wholly by the ram and the base for forming and cutting elements from the member and attaching the elements to the tape.

5. In punch press construction, a base having a recess formed therein, a die block fitted into said recess and retained therein, a ram retained for movement towards and away from the die block, a punch block fixed to the ram, the punch block having a recess formed therein, means to form a wall at one end of the recess, the die block having a recess immediately below the recess in the punch block, a punch-retaining member clampingly retained in the recess in the punch block to position punches retained thereby towards and away from the recess in the die block, and a die-piece-retaining member clamphaving means for interrelation with said punches, the punch-retaining member and the die-piece-retaining member being separable from the press without disturbing the relation of the ram and the punch block or the relation of the ram to the base or the relation of the die block and the base.

6. In punch press construction, a base havin a recess formed therein, a die block fitted in said recess and fixed with relation to the base, a ram supported for movement towards and away from the die block. a punch block fixed to the ram, the punch block having a recess formed and extending substantially vertically therein and opening at the front face of the block. means to form a wall at the top end of the recess. the die block having a recess immediately below the recess in the punch block and opening at the front face of the block, a punch-retaining member clampingly retained in the recess in the punch block to position punches retained thereby towards and away from the recess in the die block, and a die-piece-retaining member clampingly locked in the recess in the die block and having means for interrelation with said punches, the punchretaining member and the die-piece-retaining member being separable from the press without disturbing the relation of the ram and the punch block or the relation of the ram to the base or the relation of the die block and the base.

'7. In punch press construction, a base having a recess formed therein, a die block fitted in said recess and fixed with relation to the base, a ram supported for movement towards and away from the die block, a punch block fixed to the ram, the punch block having a recess formed and extending substantially vertically therein and opening at the front face of the block, means to form a wall at the top end of the recess, the die block having a recess immediately below the recess in the punch block and opening at the front face of the block, a punch-retaining member, the punchretaining member being slid into position through the open front of the recess and being then clampingly retained in the recess in the punch block to position punches retained thereby towards and away from the recess in the die block. and a die-piece-retaining member clampingly locked in the. recess in the die block and having means for interrelation with said punches, the punch-retaining member and the die-piece-retaining member being separable from the press without disturbing the relation of the ram and the punch block or the relation of the ram to the base or the relation of the die block and the base.

8. In punch press construction, a base having a recess formed therein, a die block fitted in said recess and fixed with relation to the base, a ram supported for movement towards and away from the die block, a punch block fixed to the ram, the punch block having a recess formed and extending substantially vertically therein and opening at the front face of the block. means to form a wall at the top end of the recess. the die block having a recess immediately below the recess in the punch block and opening at the front face of the block, a punch-retaining member clampingly retained in the recess in the punch block to position punches retained thereby towards and away from the recess in the die block, and a die-piece-retaining member, the die-pieceretaining member being slipped into position through'the open end of the recess in the die block and being then clampingly locked in the recess in the die block, the die-piece-retaining means having means for interrelation with said punches, the punch-retaining member and the die-piece-retaining member being separable from the press without disturbing the relation of the ram and the punch block or the relation of the ram to the base or the relation of the die block and the base.

9. In punch press construction, a base, a shaft carried by and extending transversely of the base, a housing supported on and extending transversely of the base above and having a plane substantially common with a plane passing through the center-line of saidshaft, a ram movable in the housing and relatively to the base. eccentrics carried by the shaft, 9. crosshead fixed to the ram, and means connecting the eccentrics to the ends of the crosshead for reciprocating the ram with relation to the base, the plane of reciprocation of the ram being substantially the common plane of the shaft and the crosshead, and the connecting means moving substantially in the common plane.

10. In punch press construction, a base comprising a hollow housing, a shaft extending through the housing and transversely of the base,

a ram housing supported on and extending substantially vertically from the base, a crosshead, a ram carried by the crosshead and movable in the ram housing relatively to the base, and means extending through the housing from the shaft to the crosshead for reciprocating the ram in the ram housing with relation to the base.

11. In punch press construction, a base comprislng a hollow housing, a shaft extending through the housing and transversely of the base, a ram housing supported on and extending substantially vertically from the base, a crosshead, a ram carried by the crosshead and movable in the ram housing relatively to the base, and means extending through the housing from the shaft to the crosshead for reciprocating the ram in the ram housing with relation to the base, the ram reciprocating vertically in a path directly vertically above the shaft.

12. In punch press construction, a base comprising a hollow housing, a shaft extending through the housing and transversely of the base, a ram housing supported on and extending substantially vertically from the base, a crosshead, a ram carried by the crosshead and movable in the ram housing relatively to the base, and means extending through the housing from the shaft to the crosshead for reciprocating the ram in the ram housing with relation to the base, the ram reciprocating vertically in a path directly vertically above the shaft and the reciprocating means extending substantially vertically from the shaft to the crosshead.

13. In apparatus for forming slide fastener stringers, the apparatus including a base, a ram reciprocable towards and away from the base, means for feeding a substantially uniform metallic strip between the reciprocable ram and the base, means for feeding a tape past the end of the fed strip, the ram and the base having complementary means for forming and separating a slide fastener element from the fed strip, a pair of jaws on the base, the jaws being disposed on either side of the tape and being slidable towards each other for engaging and closing the element upon the edge of the tape, and earns carried by the ram, the cams and the jaws having cam faces brought into direct engagement on downward movement of the ram to drive the jaws into engagement with the element to close it upon the edge of the tape. 

